DA Readying Livestock, Poultry Subsectors for Export
PHILIPPINES - The Philippines can become competitive in exporting livestock and poultry, especially with the elimination of tariffs on most farm goods traded within the ASEAN region once the region is integrated into a single market in 2015, the Department of Agriculture said.
14 February 2013
2 minute read
"We have the capability to export," said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala at the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday.
"We are preparing the livestock and poultry sector because these industries are free from foot-and-mouth disease and bird flu,” he also said.
According to GMA News, the poultry subsector had a gross value of P167.1 billion in 2012, registering a 4.5-per cent year-on-year growth. The subsector, which accounts for 14.3 per cent of the full year farm output, also saw gains in the production of chicken (4.6 per cent) and egg (4.4 per cent) respectively. Duck meat and egg production increased by 2 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.
Livestock production grew 1.1 per cent and had a total gross value of P214.3 billion. The subsector accounts for 16 percent of the full year farm output.
The Agriculture Department is negotiating a large export volume of duck to Japan and Singapore, with the government currently establishing triple dressing plants for the product.
